Maria de Villota has left hospital in Spain as she continues to make a steady recovery from her straight-line testing accident earlier this month.

De Villota lost her right eye in the accident and underwent surgery at Addenbrooke's hospital in the UK before flying back to Spain on July 20 where she was admitted to the La Paz University Hospital in Madrid. A statement on the driver's website said she is continuing to make good progress but would return to hospital for periodical checks.

"The patient's general conditions are good, which allowed to release her yesterday," said the statement. "In these six days, she has been treated by specialists of the Plastic and Neurological surgery services, and the Ophthalmology department, who will continue to follow her, as she will need to undergo periodical checks and treatments.

"From a neurological point of view, the patient does not present any deficit and does not need any surgery. The specialists have made no special remarks but will continue to follow her in the forthcoming period of time.

"As communicated previously, the patient has lost her right eye, as a consequence of the serious trauma suffered, and she will be closely followed by the Ophthalmology service. The specialists of the Plastic surgery service will be responsible for following the serious injuries to her face and correcting the effects of those."

The International Rugby Board (IRB) have stripped Australia of the right to host a round of the World Sevens Series, scheduled for Brisbane on 16-17 February, after the Australian government's refusal to provide visas for the squad from Fiji